An assessment of the reproduction, predation, and nesting behavior of Sulawesi Masked-owl (Tyto rosenbergii) in oil palm plantation: A case study of West and Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. Mulyana AN, Proyambodo S, Triwidodo H, Hendarjanti H, Sahari B. 2020. An assessment of the reproduction, predation, and nesting behavior of Sulawesi Masked-owl (Tyto rosenbergii) in oil palm plantation: A case study of West and Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 5685-5689. The quality and quantity of yield in palm plantations are reduced due to inevitable factors such as pests, diseases, and weeds. Furthermore, owls (Tytonidae) play a role as potential predators to control rats, the major pest. Therefore, this study aims to observe the reproduction patterns, predation, and nesting behavior of Tyto rosenbergii. To achieve this, direct observation and the installation of a camera trap in the nest box was adopted. Furthermore, a predation test was carried out by feeding the owls with rats daily in a cage measuring 4m x 8m x 6m. The results showed that the number of eggs produced ranged from 2 to 6, with an average of 3.85. Also, the Percentage of hatching ranges between 0-100% with an average of 80.77%, and that of chicks that survive to the fully feathered is 51%. In addition, T. rosenbergii was able to prey on 1-4 rats per night, and its activity mostly occurs outside the cage than inside, except when they had a reproductive season.

Role of The Barn Owl Tyto alba javanica as a Biological Agent For Rat Pest Control in The Oil Palm Plantation of Bumitama Agri Ltd.

“…The consequences of this circumstances would make the owls had to expend more energy to meet their prey [13]. T. alba can cover an area ranging from 50 -86 hectares/pair [14]. Occupancy rate indicates the number of nest boxes occupied by T. alba from all available nest boxes.…”

“…One individual T. alba was able to prey on 2 -3 rats/night and was able to kill up 9 rats even though they did not consume them entirely [15]. An adult of T. alba in cage reported able to consume 1 -4 rats a day and it is equivalent nearly to 730 -2.920 rats in a year per pair of the owl [14].…”

“…The hatching success rate T. alba javanica in oil palm plantations is 79,8 %. The successfull recorded phase of chicks to mature stage in Malaysia is 81,2 % [16] and 80,77 % in central Sulawesi, Indonesia [14]. The increase in the population of T. alba is expected to continue to grow along with the addition of nest boxes in the next few years.…”